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IHD 2011 Submissions

Did Lincoln wear a top hat?

President Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President of the United States) never wore a top hat, it was actually a Stovepipe Hat.

The stovepipe hat was a variety with mostly straight sides, while one with slightly convex sides was called the "chimney pot". The style we presently refer to as the stovepipe was popularized by Abraham Lincoln during his presidency; though it is postulated that he may never have called it stovepipe himself, merely a silk hat, or a plug hat. It is said that Lincoln would keep important letters and bar receipts inside the hat, except on International Hat Day due to the fact he would allow children to wear his hat for photographs, charging a dime a time. I wonder what those letters said.. shall we speculate?